We were pregnant with our second baby—excited for our next chapter and to see our daughter become a big sister.
But something didn’t feel right.
I didn’t feel right.
He wasn’t moving the way my first had. I became hyper-aware of every movement, hoping someone would believe me. I was told every pregnancy is different. That I was reading too much into it.
But on January 18, 2023, my biggest fear became reality.
After my second call reporting decreased fetal movement, I said I was coming in. Alone, I walked down what felt like the longest hallway. In triage, I heard the three words that still echo in my mind:
“There’s no heartbeat.”
I was furious. I knew something wasn’t right.
Could he have been saved? We will never know.
Losing Acel changed everything.
It changed who we are, how we live, how we smile. It took so much from us.
But somehow, in the middle of unimaginable loss, my husband and I grew stronger together. We carried each other.
“I’ll be your 70 when all you can give is 30.”
We grieved. We fought. And then—we chose to create change.
Because the truth is, our story is not rare.
In the United States, about 1 in 175 pregnancies ends in stillbirth—that’s nearly 21,000 babies every year. Many of these losses are preventable, and decreased fetal movement is one of the most important warning signs.
Today, we are working to bring change to New Hampshire. To improve awareness, to advocate for better healthcare practices, and to ensure that concerns during pregnancy are heard and taken seriously.
We are proud to partner with Healthy Birth Day, Inc. to support education, research, and prevention—so more babies are born healthy, and fewer families experience this kind of loss.
Golf has become our way to bring people together.
To start conversations about stillbirth.
To say Acel’s name.
We believe that every swing can spark awareness, improve outcomes, and drive research forward—so that one day, fewer families hear the words:
“There’s no heartbeat.”